The Queen welcomes President Trump to Buckingham Palace

The Queen has welcomed the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to Buckingham Palace as his State Visit to the UK officially gets underway.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived left the US Ambassador’s residence for Buckingham Palace by helicopter. The three-mile journey ended as Marine One landed on the garden of the palace.

As the Trumps exited the aircraft, they were greeted by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Their Royal Highnesses then escorted the President and the First Lady to the entrance of Buckingham Palace where they met The Queen.

Her Majesty will now host a private lunch for her American guests.

Also present at the palace are extended members of the Trump family, including the President’s daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka & Jared Kushner.

President Trump arrived in the UK aboard Air Force One just before 9 am on Monday morning.

The Queen’s Colour Squadron formed a Guard of Honour for the couple as they arrived at Stansted Airport where they were greeted by the US Ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson and the UK Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt.

The first day of the State Visit will also see the Trumps entertained to lunch at Buckingham Palace by the Queen with the Duke of Sussex also on the guest list for this part of the day. Afterwards, the royal party and their guests will tour a special private exhibition of items from the Royal Collection with links to the United States. They will then visit Westminster Abbey with the Duke of York where President Trump will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will welcome President and Mrs Trump to Clarence House later in the day for tea, just ahead of the State Banquet which will take place at Buckingham Palace with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also expected to attend.

The State Visit, which has attracted controversy since it was first mooted back in 2017, will last for three days with events in London and in Portsmouth.